Golden Gate University offers a Doctor of Business Administration programme for experienced professionals who want to develop advanced business knowledge, research capabilities, and strategic leadership skills. The programme focuses on applying business theories and research methods to practical organisational challenges.
For students considering the GGU DBA in 2026, understanding the curriculum is important before selecting a concentration. The programme combines doctoral foundation courses, specialised business subjects, qualifying assessments, and dissertation research. The exact course structure depends on the DBA pathway selected.
This guide explains the GGU DBA curriculum, foundation subjects, specialisation courses, dissertation process, assessment structure, and key points students should understand before applying.
GGU DBA Curriculum 2026: Programme Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| University | Golden Gate University |
| Location | San Francisco, California, United States |
| Programme | Doctor of Business Administration |
| Study Format | Depends on the selected pathway |
| Standard DBA Curriculum | Foundation courses, concentration courses, and dissertation |
| Standard DBA Credits | 56 units for the traditional DBA pathway |
| Foundation Coursework | 12 units |
| Concentration Coursework | 12 units |
| Dissertation Work | 32 units in the traditional pathway |
| Assessment | Coursework, qualifying examination, and dissertation |
| Research Focus | Applied research addressing business and management challenges |
GGU offers multiple DBA pathways, so the credit requirements and subjects are not identical across every programme. Students should use the curriculum page for their specific pathway and intake when planning their studies.
GGU DBA Syllabus: Main Curriculum Components
The traditional GGU DBA curriculum is organised around three main stages: foundation courses, concentration courses, and dissertation research.
1. Foundation Courses
Foundation courses prepare students for doctoral-level research and help them understand how to investigate complex business problems using appropriate research methods.
The traditional DBA pathway includes the following three foundation courses.
| Course Code | Subject Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DBA 800 | Doctoral Writing and Research Methods | 4 |
| DBA 801 | Quantitative Research and Analysis | 4 |
| DBA 802 | Qualitative Research and Analysis | 4 |
| Total | Foundation Coursework | 12 |
Doctoral Writing and Research Methods
This subject introduces the academic writing and research skills required for doctoral study. Students learn how to develop research questions, review existing literature, organise scholarly arguments, and build a foundation for applied business research.
These skills are important when preparing research proposals and presenting findings in a clear, evidence-based format.
Quantitative Research and Analysis
Quantitative research focuses on numerical data and statistical techniques. Students learn how quantitative methods can be used to examine relationships, test hypotheses, evaluate business performance, and support managerial decisions.
This knowledge can be useful when investigating subjects such as employee performance, customer behaviour, financial outcomes, or operational efficiency.
Qualitative Research and Analysis
Qualitative research examines experiences, opinions, behaviours, and organisational processes. Students learn how to investigate business issues through methods such as interviews, case studies, and thematic analysis.
This approach is useful when researching leadership practices, workplace culture, organisational change, and other complex management questions.
2. GGU DBA Specialisation Courses
After completing foundation coursework, students study a concentration aligned with their professional interests. The traditional DBA curriculum lists 12 units of concentration courses.
GGU’s published concentration options for this pathway include Business and Data Analytics, Finance, Leadership and Strategy, Marketing, and General.
Business and Data Analytics
This concentration explores the use of data and analytical methods to improve organisational decisions and business performance.
| Course Code | Subject Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DBA 850 | Managing Data as an Asset | 4 |
| DBA 851 | Operational Performance Management | 4 |
| DBA 852 | Application of AI in Solving Business Problems | 4 |
| Total | Concentration Coursework | 12 |
Students explore how organisations can manage data as a strategic resource, measure operational performance, and apply artificial intelligence to business challenges.
This pathway may interest professionals working in business analytics, operations, consulting, digital transformation, and data-driven management.
Finance
The Finance concentration focuses on financial strategy, corporate finance, and the application of financial theory to business decisions.
| Course Code | Subject Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DBA 820 | Corporate Finance | 4 |
| DBA 821 | Financial Theory and Applications | 4 |
| DBA 822 | International Finance | 4 |
| Total | Concentration Coursework | 12 |
These subjects support the study of capital allocation, financial decision-making, international financial activity, and the role of finance in organisational strategy.
The concentration may suit finance professionals, corporate managers, financial consultants, and executives who want to investigate financial challenges through applied research.
Leadership and Strategy
The Leadership and Strategy concentration examines leadership theory, organisational change, and strategic decision-making.
| Course Code | Subject Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DBA 880 | Leadership Theory, Research and Application | 4 |
| DBA 881 | Leading Complex Change | 4 |
| DBA 882 | Strategic Leadership | 4 |
| Total | Concentration Coursework | 12 |
Students examine leadership approaches, investigate how organisations manage change, and explore the relationship between leadership decisions and business performance.
This concentration may be appropriate for senior managers, business owners, consultants, and professionals responsible for organisational transformation.
Marketing
The Marketing concentration focuses on marketing management, consumer behaviour, and digital marketing.
| Course Code | Subject Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DBA 870 | Marketing Management | 4 |
| DBA 871 | Consumer Behavior | 4 |
| DBA 872 | Digital Marketing and New Media | 4 |
| Total | Concentration Coursework | 12 |
The subjects provide a foundation for examining marketing strategy, customer decision-making, digital communication, and changing market conditions.
This pathway may suit marketing managers, brand strategists, entrepreneurs, and consultants interested in researching customer engagement and marketing effectiveness.
General Concentration
The General concentration offers a broader management pathway for students whose research interests do not fit into a single specialist area.
Under the published traditional DBA curriculum, students select three courses from the available concentration subjects to complete the required concentration coursework.
This option may be suitable for professionals who manage multiple business functions or want to investigate cross-functional challenges involving strategy, operations, finance, marketing, or analytics.
3. GGU DBA Qualifying Examination
The traditional DBA pathway includes a qualifying examination after the foundation curriculum.
The examination evaluates students’ understanding of doctoral research methods and analysis. It is an important academic milestone because students must pass it before progressing to the dissertation proposal stage.
The qualifying examination is listed as a zero-unit requirement. Although it does not add credits to the degree, passing it is necessary for progression through the programme.
Students should confirm the applicable examination format, assessment criteria, and retake policy for their chosen pathway.
4. GGU DBA Dissertation Curriculum
The dissertation is a major component of the traditional DBA programme. It gives students an opportunity to investigate a business or management problem in depth and develop original research.
The traditional pathway allocates 32 units to dissertation work.
| Course Code | Dissertation Stage | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DBA 890 | Dissertation Topic Proposal | 8 |
| DBA 891 | Dissertation Proposal Defense | 8 |
| DBA 892 | Dissertation Completion and Approval by Committee | 12–16 |
| Total | Dissertation Phase | 32 units overall |
The final dissertation course may involve variable credit registration, depending on the applicable academic requirements.
Dissertation Topic Proposal
Students identify a research problem, define their objectives, review relevant literature, and develop a proposal outlining how the research will be conducted.
A suitable topic should address a meaningful business issue and be manageable within the programme’s research requirements.
Dissertation Proposal Defense
Students present their proposed research and explain the relevance of the topic, the research questions, the methodology, and the intended contribution.
Feedback at this stage helps students refine their research before proceeding further.
Dissertation Completion and Defense
Students conduct their research, analyse the findings, prepare the dissertation, and complete the required academic review and defense process.
Potential research areas include leadership effectiveness, financial decision-making, marketing strategy, operational performance, business analytics, and organisational change.
The dissertation is intended to connect academic research with practical business knowledge rather than simply summarise existing management theories.
GGU DBA Curriculum by Study Stage
The following table summarises the traditional DBA structure.
| Study Stage | Main Requirement | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Foundation Courses | 12 |
| Stage 2 | Concentration Courses | 12 |
| Stage 3 | Dissertation Work | 32 |
| Total | Traditional DBA Programme | 56 |
This is a curriculum structure rather than a guaranteed semester-by-semester timetable. Course scheduling and progression depend on the university’s academic calendar, the student’s selected concentration, and successful completion of each requirement.
GGU DBA Generative AI Curriculum: A Different Pathway
Students interested in artificial intelligence should be aware that GGU also publishes a specialised DBA in Emerging Technologies with a concentration in Generative AI.
This pathway has a different curriculum from the traditional DBA. Its published structure includes 20 units of major courses, 8 units of dissertation foundation courses, and 28 units of dissertation work, for a total of 56 units.
The major courses include:
- Foundations of Machine Learning and AI
- Deep Learning and Its Variants
- Generative AI Using Pre-Trained Models
- AI Project Design and Execution
- Responsible AI
The pathway also includes doctoral research preparation and applied dissertation work.
Professionals considering this option should review its specific course sequence, eligibility requirements, and immersion arrangements rather than relying on the traditional DBA syllabus.
GGU DBA Assessment and Academic Requirements
The programme requires students to demonstrate academic progress through coursework, research assessments, and dissertation completion.
The published traditional DBA curriculum requires students to earn at least a B- in each course and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.
Students must also pass the qualifying examination, complete the required coursework, advance through the dissertation proposal stages, and successfully defend their dissertation within the applicable programme timeframe.
Because requirements can differ between pathways, students should confirm the relevant academic policies with GGU before starting the programme.
How to Choose the Right GGU DBA Curriculum
Choosing a concentration is easier when you connect your current responsibilities with the business problems you want to research.
Choose Business and Data Analytics if you want to investigate data-driven decisions, operational performance, or the use of AI in business.
Choose Finance if your interests involve corporate finance, financial strategy, or international financial decisions.
Choose Leadership and Strategy if you want to research organisational change, leadership effectiveness, and strategic management.
Choose Marketing if you are interested in customer behaviour, digital marketing, and marketing strategy.
Choose General if you want a broader management focus or plan to investigate challenges that span several business functions.
If your main interest is Generative AI, review the dedicated emerging technologies pathway separately.
Before choosing, compare the official course descriptions, research requirements, faculty support, and the relevance of the concentration to your intended dissertation topic.
Conclusion
The GGU DBA curriculum combines foundation courses, concentration subjects, and dissertation research to prepare experienced professionals for advanced business analysis and evidence-based decision-making. In the traditional pathway, students complete 12 units of foundation coursework, 12 units of concentration coursework, and 32 units of dissertation work, totalling 56 units.
The available traditional concentrations include Business and Data Analytics, Finance, Leadership and Strategy, Marketing, and General. Students interested in Generative AI can also review the separate specialised DBA pathway, which has its own curriculum.
Before enrolling, confirm the latest syllabus, course availability, qualifying examination requirements, dissertation milestones, and delivery format for your selected programme. Reviewing these details will help you choose a pathway that fits your professional experience and research goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the GGU DBA curriculum for 2026?
The traditional GGU DBA curriculum includes foundation courses, concentration courses, a qualifying examination, and dissertation research. Its published structure totals 56 units.
2. How many units are required for the traditional GGU DBA?
The traditional DBA requires 56 units: 12 foundation units, 12 concentration units, and 32 dissertation units.
3. What are the foundation subjects in GGU DBA?
The three foundation subjects are Doctoral Writing and Research Methods, Quantitative Research and Analysis, and Qualitative Research and Analysis.
4. What specialisations are available in the GGU DBA?
The published traditional DBA concentrations include Business and Data Analytics, Finance, Leadership and Strategy, Marketing, and General.
5. Does GGU DBA include a dissertation?
Yes. Dissertation research is a major programme requirement. Students develop a topic proposal, defend their proposal, complete their research, and fulfil the required dissertation review and defense process.
6. Is there a qualifying examination in the GGU DBA?
Yes. The traditional DBA includes a qualifying examination after the foundation coursework. Passing it is required before students can progress to the dissertation proposal stage.
7. What subjects are included in GGU DBA Finance?
The published Finance concentration includes Corporate Finance, Financial Theory and Applications, and International Finance.
8. Does GGU offer a DBA in Generative AI?
Yes. GGU publishes a specialised DBA in Emerging Technologies with a concentration in Generative AI. It has a different course structure from the traditional DBA.
9. Can working professionals study the GGU DBA?
The programme is designed for professionals seeking advanced business and research skills. The exact delivery format and schedule depend on the selected pathway, so students should confirm the arrangements before applying.
10. Where can I check the official GGU DBA syllabus?
Check the Golden Gate University programme page for your specific DBA pathway. The traditional DBA, specialised programmes, and partner-delivered pathways may have different curriculum requirements.
